ISLAMABAD, December 4 (Online): The United States’ special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday morning.
He is expected to facilitate an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan. He will meet hold meetings with Pakistani officials. Khalilzad will be travelling to Afghanistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belgium, the UAE and Qatar.
The US diplomat will be in communication with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah, and other Afghan stakeholders to coordinate closely on efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table with the Afghan government and other Afghans.
On Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that he has received a letter from US President Donald Trump on December 3 morning in which he has been requested to help bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiation table and the subsequent peace process.
President Trump has also acknowledged that the war had cost both USA and Pakistan. He has emphasised that Pakistan and USA should explore opportunities to work together and renew partnership, according to the foreign office. Pakistan reiterated its commitment to play a facilitation role in good faith. Peace and stability in Afghanistan remain a shared responsibility.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trump in his letter said that his most important regional priority was achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war. In this regard, he has sought Pakistan’s support and facilitation.
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